Evaporative cooler for automobiles



D80 1954 a. A. M ALISTER, JR 76 EVAPORATIVE COOLER FOR AUTOMOBILES Filed Aug. 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet l a INVENTOR. Geo/e05 A. M"AL/STER, /k.

A TTORNE Y ca. A. M ALISTER, JR 2,697,976

EVAPORATIVE COOLER FOR AUTOMOBILES Dec. '28; 1954 Filed Aug. 21, 1950 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 7/ II o Dec. 28, 1954 Filed Aug. 21, 1950 a. A. M ALISTER, JR 2,697,976

EVAPORATIVE COOLER FOR AUTOMOBILES 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Bee 28, 1954 G. A. MOALISTER, JR

EVAPORATIVE COOLER FOR AUTOMOBILES 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Aug. 21, 1950 Geokge A M A//'sfe/;Jn.

O INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY United States Patent EVAPORATIV E COOLER FOR AUTOMOBILES George/A. McAlister, Jr., Big Spring, Tex., assignor of one-half to 'S.- Austin Wier and Howard E. Moore Application August 21, 1950,,Seflal No 180,559

Claims. (Cl; 98-2) This invention is concerned. with an evaporative cooler for: automobiles: and: is particularly concerned with improvements-on sucha cooler intended to conserve water and to improve: thecooling;efficienc'y thereof.

This inventionisaddressed to improvement in that type of automobiles. airv conditioner shown in my copending application, SerialNo, 136,479, filed on January 3, 1950, now Patent No- 2,676,528. wherein absorbent evaporator pads, supplied with a suitable wetting medium, are disposed in ventilation ducts leading from the exterior to the interior of an automobile, whereby air is forced through the ducts and through the evaporator pads into the" automobile by the forward motion of the vehicle; and such air is cooled by evaporation as it passes through the evaporator pads.

The dimensions of the water container used in connection with such an evaporative cooler must necessarily be kept within certain bounds in order that it may be mounted in a concealed position and will not protrude from theframe of the automobile and willnot present an unsightly appearance and will not offer the hazard of coming in contact with outside objects.

Since the maximum dimension of such container is so limited, it is imperative that the relatively small quantity of water carried therein be conserved by returning the. greatest possible amount of the unevaporated portion thereof to-the supply tank so that it may be recirculated to the evaporator pads, and so that the water consumed.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide improvedrneans of conserving unevaporated water circulated to the evaporator pads-1n such an air conditioner,

and to increase the evaporation percentage of the water consumed.

It has been found by. experimentation that, by employment of the improvements herein described and claimed, about 90% ofthe water circulated to the evaporator pads is returned to the supply tank for reuse, and that the water consumed is approximately only that lost by evaporation; and it has further been found that the cooling etficiency of the device has been greatly increased.

A further important object of my invention is to provide an induction scoop adapted to be mounted on the frontcnd of a ventilation duct on an automobile, wherein a batii'e is' arranged to cooperate with the evaporator pad therein to atomize and divide and divert the unevaporated water passing through the evaporator pad, so that'part of it willbe distributed over the evaporator pad and the remaining portion thereof will be deflected against'the sides of the induction scoop, from which it may drain back into the supply tank.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an intermitter" switch in the pump circuit to permit the intermittent operation of the pump, so thato'nly the amount of'water needed to keep the evaporator pad wet will. be delive ed thereto; and thereby water is; conserved.

A still further important objectof my inventionis to provide an improved-induction scoop; adapted to be seenred to' the front end-or a ventilation dust on an; automobile wherein a protruding concavoconvexlip is pro-' vided'onflthe lower forw'ardend thereof forvthe' purpose 2 of diverting water s ray from the delivery pipes into the return line leading to the supply tank.

Another important object of my invention is to provide an induction scoop having an outwardly pressed bead or groove in the top 'side thereof, in which the water spray tube may be recessed and firmly held.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a short socket or terminal receptacle attached to the wall of the induction scoop wherein the end of the water spray tube may be inserted and frictionally engaged so as to form a relatively water-tight seal, and so that the water spray tube may be slipped therefrom whenever desired in order that trash. and foreign. accumulations and other. residual. depositsm'ay be removed from the terminal tube, and the water delivery tube may be quickly and easily flushed and cleaned out.

Another object of my inventionis to provide a rotatably mounted water delivery tube extending transversely across the outer face of the evaporator pad at a point below-the horizontal medianline of the pad, such delivery tube having openings on the upper side thereof whereby water may be sprayed upwardly against the evaporator pad, and whereby the direction of such spray may be predetermined.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a pressure free return duct extending from behind the evaporator pad and therethrough and/or therebelow to a point near the outlet to the water return line, with a laterally and/or upwardly extending deflector arranged across the bottom of the scoop adjacent to the inner end of the-pressure free return duct, to deflect unevaporated water into the pressure free return duct and to protect the inner end of the duct from pressure of incoming air.

Another object of my invention is to provide a simple and quick means of detachably mounting the water supply tank to the automobile.

Other and further objects of my invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed specification hereinafter following andby referring to the drawings.

Preferred embodiments of my invention are shown in the attached drawings in which:

Figure I is' a perspective view of a typical form of my invention mounted on an automobile;

Figure II is an enlarged perspective view of oneform of induction scoop employed with my invention;

Figure III is an enlarged cross-sectional side elevational view of one form of induction scoop attached at the forward end of a ventilation duct on an automobile;

Fi'g'ure IV is a cross sectional view of the induction scoop taken along the line IV-IV of Figure III;

Figure V is a cross-sectional side elevational view of a modified form of induction scoop showing an alternate form of deflecting baflie employed therein;

Figure VI is a schematic view of the electrical circuit for operating the pump in my invention;

Figure VII is a cross-sectional side elevational view of another modified form of induction scoop;

Figure VIII is a perspective view of the modified form of inductance scoop shown in Figure VII; and

Figure IX is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IXIX of Figure VII.

Reference numerals are employed to designate the various parts of my. invention shown in the drawings, and

' like numerals are used to designate like parts in the various figures of the drawings.

The numeral 1 indicates an automobile suitable for attachment of the evaporative cooler thereto.

' The water supply tank or container 2 is of suitable width to be disposed behind the front bumper and preferably between the front grille of the automobile and the front bumper, and it is of proper length to be suspended between the horizontal bumper supports 5 on the auton'iobile. The water supply container should not be deep enough to extend or hang below the chassis of the automobile. It isithus suspended in a protected position, and it is not readily visible from the outside. Such container, of such dimensions, will contain about 6 gatlonsef water.

The water container or" tank 2 should have an outwardly extending lug 3 welded, or otherwise suitably secured, toeach end thereof.

An attachment bracket 4 is provided with an inwardly iturngd arm or hook 6 thereon, and an outwardly turned The tank 2 'is easily and quickly suspended to the horizontal bumper supports 5 at each end thereof by hanging the hooks 6 of the brackets 4 over the horizontal bumper supports 5, and securing the brackets 4 thereto, as by means of set screws 7. Bolts 9 may be secured through the horizontal extensions 8 on brackets 4 and the lugs 3, thereby attaching the water supply tank to the brackets 4. The water container 2 is thus suspended and secured between the horizontal bumper supports. The supply tank may be quickly and easily removed by removing bolts 9.

A flat or angular reinforcing strip 10 may be fastened along the upper forward edge of the supply tank 2 for the purpose of reinforcing and strengthening and protecting it and to prevent it from deflecting or rattling.

A drain plug 11 is disposed in the bottom of the supply tank 2 for the purpose of draining and cleaning the tank, when desired.

Suitable openings (not shown) are provided in the top of the supply tank 2 for the purpose of allowing communication of the water return lines with the tank. A circular flange 12 may be fitted over such openings in the top of the tank; and each flange may have a short piece of tube 13 welded or otherwise secured thereto to receive conduit 15. The flange 12 should be detachably secured over each of the openings by means of suitable screws or other removable attachment means.

A piece of screen 14 (which may be conical in shape) is soldered or otherwise attached to the bottom of each flange 12 for the purpose of screening out insects and other residue from water drained out of the scoops, to prevent such from entering the tank. The attachment flange 12 may be removed from the tank and the residual deposits emptied from the screen through the tube 13.

A water return duct 15, which may be made of rubber, copper or other suitable material, has one end thereof detachably secured to the tube 13 and the other end thereof detachably secured to the water return nipple 37, leading from the bottom of the induction scoop 24. There is provided a water return tube 15, leading from each induction scoop to the supply tank.

A filler spout 16 is arranged in the upper side of the water container, and it may be provided with a removable cap 16a.

A removable cone shaped screen 17 may be provided in the top of the filler spout 16, for the purpose of straining trash and other residual deposits from the water when the tank is being filled.

A water supply conduit 18 passes upwardly through the wall of the supply tank, and it is connected at its lower end to the delivery outlet of pump 19.

The pump 19 has an operating motor which may be conveniently arranged above the top of the tank, and it may be removably attached to the tank by means of an attachment flange 20 secured to the tank by suitable screws, or the like. Pump 19 may be of conventional impeller type. The impeller therein (not shown) should be located near the bottom of the tank, and it is driven by a vertical shaft (not shown) connected to the motor. The pump delivers water through supply conduit 18.

Cross fitting 21 provides connection between conduit 18 and water delivery pipes 22 and 23, leading to the induction scoops.

Cross fitting 21 also provides communication between the conduit 18 and windshield washer tube 21a. The windshield washer tube may lead to standard outlets already provided on the automobile for windshield washers (or such outlets may be installed on the automobile). The wash water is delivered through a valve located in the drivers compartment, and by such valve the supply of water to the windshield washers may be controlled. Thus, as an auxiliary attachment, a very effective windshield washer may be provided, in that the water may be supplied to the Windshields under pressure from the pump. The added cost of a relatively powerful windshield washer, with relatively large water supply, is negligible.

The water delivery pipes 22 and 23 pass through the sides of the induction scoops 24, and they are attached to and communication with the water spray tubes 31, which are mounted inside of the scoops.

Air induction scoop 24 (of which two are shown) is substantially the shape of the frustum of a cone. It has an attachment flange 25, on the rear end thereof, which is adapted to be removably attached to the front plate 27 of the automobile by means of bolts 26, or the like.

The front plate 27 ordinarily extends between the inner sides of the fenders and the radiator, and is also usually attached to the chassis of the automobile.

Many late model automobiles have a ventilation duct 28 extending on each side of the engine between the drivers compartment and the front plate 27; and the forward end of each ventilation duct is customarily welded or otherwise securely attached to the front plate over an opening provided in the front plate, so that when the automobile is in forward motion air enters ventilation ducts 28 and passes therethrough and into the automobile.

In the absence of ventilation ducts provided in the automobile at the factory, such ventilation ducts can be easily installed; and the scoops 24 can be easily arranged in relationship thereto, to communicate therewith, in the same manner as is shown and described herein. Furthermore, the scoop 24 can be arranged for attachment to any ventilation duct on any automobile, regardless of the location and mounting of such duct.

As shown, a scoop 24 is attached to the front plate over the inlet to each of the ventilation ducts 28 provided on the automobile, and they are concealed behind the front grille. As the automobile moves forward an is picked up by the scoops 24 and passes therethrough and through the ventilation ducts and into the automobile.

A bonnet-like extension or visor 29 is provided on the upper forward end of the scoop 24, such extension being for the purpose of deflecting through the scoop upwardly moving air currents.

An outwardly pressed bead or groove 30 may be provided around the top of the scoop for the purpose of recessing and holding the water spray tube 31, as shown.

The water spray tube 31 extends around the upper inner side of the scoop 24, adjacent to and in front of the evaporator pad; and such tube has a plurallty of water supply orifices 32 therein, spaced along the lower inner side of the tube 31 for the purpose of spraying against the evaporator pad water delivered by the pump to the tube 31.

Other means could be provided for spraying water on the evaporator pad in lieu of the water spray tube 31, such as a suitable nozzle or orifice disposed in front of the pad. An atomizing jet or fine spray nozzle may be employed.

A terminal tube or receptacle 33 may be flattened and closed at its outer end, as indicated by the numeral 34, and detachably mounted on the inner side of the scoop 24, as by means of screw 35. The open end of the water spray tube 31 may be inserted and frictionally held in the terminal tube 33 so as to form a relatively watertight joinder.

Terminal tube 33 may be detached by removing screw 35, and it may be withdrawn from the water spray tube 31 for the purpose of emptying trash and other residual deposits from the terminal tube 33, and for the purpose of flushing and cleaning tube 31.

Scoop 24 has an outwardly extending concave-convex protruding lip 36, on the lower outer end thereof, for the purpose of diverting such of the spray, from the water spray tube 31, as does not strike or remain in the evaporator pad, so that it will be led into the water return conduit. Such protruding lip 36 extends far enough out in front of the water spray tube to catch substantially all of the spray which does not directly strike the evaporator pad.

A nipple 37 is welded, soldered or otherwise suitably attached, to. the bottom side of the scoop 24, near its lowermost extremity, and this nipple directs unevaporated water accumulated in the scoop into the water return duct 15 and therethrough back to the supply tank.

An inwardly turned flange 39 is provided along the upper side of the protruding lip 36, providing for attachment of the strainer screen 40, and also directing incoming air currents, and protecting the return of captured water.

The strainer screen 40 extends between the flange 39 an h OttQm of the scoop and may be spot welded thereto. Insects and trash picked up by the scoopare deposited on the screen and are prevented from entering, or stopping up. the water retlr'n conduit.

A pressure-free return duct 41 is secured to the bottom side of the evaporator pad and through the screen A deflector plate 42 extends across the bottom inner side of the scoop 2'4, and the inner end of pressure-free return duct 41 passes therethrough. Deflector plate 42 directs unevaporated water accumulated in the scoop behind the evaporator pad into the pressure-free return duct, and it also isolates the inner end of the pressurefree return duct from the pressure of air entering the scoop, so that water will not be forced backward and will freely enter the pressure-free return duct. The pressure-free return duct 41 isolates the water, returning therethrough to the water return line, from pressure of air entering the scoop so that it may freely run back into the supply tank. Such construction further protects the return of captured water.

An inwardly turned flange or water baflie 43 is arranged at the rear end of scoop 24 and. provides means for recapturing and retaining water which tends to creep up the sides of the scoop by reason of the pressure of air entering the scoop acting thereagainst.

The lower side 44 of the scoop 24 slants downward to provide an enlarged outer end on the scoop, and such slanting side also allows unevaporated Water recaptured and accumulated in the scoop to more freely run back into the supply tank.

The evaporator pad 45 may be made of aspen wood, spun glass, excelsior, shavings, or other material customarily'used forevaporator pads in evaporative coolers; and it is disposed across the scoop 24 near the front end thereof. It may be mounted and supported between pieces of hardware cloth 46 and 50.

The front piece of hardware cloth 46 is cut to the contour of the scoop and is-detachably secured to the inner side of the scoop, as by means of angle brackets 47. One of the brackets 47 may be disposed on each side of the hardware cloth 46, and one of such brackets may be disposed at the top thereof to securely hold it in the scoop. The inner leg of the angle bracket 47' may be side of the scoop by means of an angle bracket 51 at each side of the scoop. The outer leg of bracket 51 may be spot welded to the inner side of the scoop and the inwardly turned leg thereof may be spot welded to the back side of hardware cloth 50. However, member may be removably mounted if desired.

The truncated cone shaped baffle 52 has an opening 53 therethrough, and such baflfle is spot welded or otherwise suitably attached to the rear hardware cloth 50 at or about the center thereof.

Theopening 53 is provided in the baffle 52' in order that air rushing into the scoop at the center thereof will freely pass through the opening 53 and will have greater velocity than the air that strikes the outer side of the battle. The free-moving air, passing through the opening 53, creates in effect a suction and helps to draw the deflected air throughthe scoop.

However, it is to be understood that the bathe 52 may be made without an opening therethrough, such baflie being primarily provided for the purpose of deflecting air entering the scoop outwardly towards the sides there'- of so that any unevaporated droplets of'water'remaining in the air after passing through the evaporator pad will strike the baffle and will be broken upand finely divided and deflected against the sides of the scoop and against the evaporator pad 45. Thus the unevaporated water which passes through the pad is thrown back against the pad to be evaporated, and the remaining portion thereof is deflected against the sides of the scoop where it is collected and allowed to run back to the water re turn line and therethrough back to the storage tank.

It'has been found by experiment that the air entering the scoop tends to converge toward the center'when the automobile is operated at high speed and creates a vortex or circular motion and tends to accumulate the water toward the center of thepad'. The -overladen. air is forced. through the center ofthe-pad, and some: of the water is forced therethrough in droplets. In the absence ofthe baflle, behind theevaporator pad, some 'ofthesedroplets mayenter the ventilation: duct and'may even be blown'into the interior of the. automobile.

As a result of such concentration of water-at the centerof the evaporator pad, the water is not evenly distributed over the pad, and by virtue of the water passing through the pad in droplets and entering the ventilation duct, an

undue amount of water is lost and is not returned toth'e supply tank.

It has been found that by the use of the baffie'disposed behind the. evaporator pad the droplets of water which pass through the pad strike the outwardly diverging sides of the-bafli'e and. are atomized, some of it beingthrown back onto the pad and the. remaining. portion thereof is deflected against'the sides of the scoop from whereit runs back to the supply tank.

It has been found that'by the employment of the baffle behind the evaporator pad the amount of water consumed is approximately cut in half and the cooling efficiency of the air cooler is greatly increased.

In Fig. V is shown amodified form of baflle for de fleeting; and. absorbing the unevaporated water which passes through the evaporator pad. Inthismodified form the bafiie takes the form of a second evaporator pad disposed behind the front evaporator pad.

In such modified form the evaporator pad 54 is disposedibetween two pieces of hardware cloth 55 and 57 which are shaped to the contour of the scoop. The front hardware cloth. 55 is detachably mounted to the interior side of the scoop by means of a plurality of detachable lugs 56" which may be the same in construction andattachment as the detachable lugs 47 previously described.

The back hardware cloth 57 may be detachably secured to the inner side of the scoop by means of a plurality of detachable lugs 58 which are the same in construction and attachment as the detachable lugs 47. The entire front evaporator pad. assembly may thus'be removed for the purpose of replacing baflie pad 59.

Battle pad 59' is supported between the pieces of hard ware cloth 60 and 62. The front hardware cloth 60for the bafile 59 is detachably secured to the inner side of the scoop by a plurality of detachable lugs 61 which are the same in construction and attachment as the detachable lugs 47, previously described. The hardware cloth 60 may be removed for the purpose of replacing the baflie 59.

The back hardware cloth for supporting the baffle 59. may be secured to the inner sides of the scoop by means of a plurality of angle attachment lugs 63 which are weldedor otherwise suitably attached to the side of the scoop and to the back side of the hardware cloth.

The pressure-free return duct 64 is the same in construction, mounting and function as the pressure-free return duct 41, previously described, and is secured along the bottom inner side of the scoop and extends through the evaporator pad 54 and through the strainer screen. 40.

The deflector plate 65, which may be substantially the same in construction, operation and mounting as deflector plate42,previously described, is disposed across the bot tom inner. side of the scoop and deflects unevaporated water from behind the evaporator pad into the waterreturn duct 64.

Another pressure-free return duct 66 is arranged along the bottom inner side of the scoop, and it extends through the battle 59 and the outer end thereof terminates near the inner end of the pressure-free return duct 64.

The deflector plate 67 may be the same in construction, vmounting andoperation as the deflector plate42 previously described,.and itextends across the bottom 1 inner side of the scoop and deflects unevaporated water collected in the scoop into the pressure-free. return duct 66. All unevaporated water collected either behind the evaporator pad 54 or the baffle 59 is deflected into the pressure free return ducts 64 and 66, through whichit can freely run back to the supply tank.

The modified baflle 59 serves the purpose of catching, deflecting and dispersing droplets of water which pass through the evaporator pad 54. Droplets of water forced through evaporator pad 54 are dispersed in the baffle 59; and are thus prevented from being blown backinto thet-ventilation-duct; Such baffle greatly increases the: evaporation and cooling efiiciency of the air cooler-with"- out waste: of water, .and' water isconserved.

Other formszof baffles than: those-indicated: by the' numerals 52 and 59 may be employed, and accomplish the same purpose. For instance, a plurality of relatively fine mesh screens may be arranged across the scoop behind the evaporator pad. Such screens would permit the air to pass therethrough but any droplets of water therein would strike the screens and be broken up and dispersed and deflected against the sides of the scoop, to return to the supply tank if not evaporated.

An electrical circuit suitable for the operation of the pump used in my air cooler is shown in Fig. VI. Such electrical circuit provides for the intermittent operation of the pump so that the amount of water deposited on the evapoirator pad may be regulated and water may be conserve The pump operates from the battery of the automobile, indicated by the numeral 68. This may be the usual and customary battery provided on automobiles, such battery usually supplying 6 volts D. C.

A three contact switch 69 is located in the drivers compartment and has the three contacts, 70, 71 and 72, therein.

When the switch is turned to contact 70 the pump motor is de-energized. When the switch is turned to contact 71 the intermitter switch 73 is placed in series with the battery and the pump, so that the pump will operate intermittently.

The intermitter switch 73 is a standard and commercial type of switch which opens and closes intermittently to thereby supply current to the pump 19 intermittently. The intermitter switch may be so timed that it will provide for the intermittent operation of the pump to the end that the pump will only operate enough to keep the evaporator pad sufliciently saturated to provide for efiicient evaporation, but will not over-saturate the evaporator pad to the extent that water will be blown therefrom in droplets.

The switch 69 may be turned to contact 72 to by-pass the intermitter switch 73 and allow the pump to operate continuously, if desired. If it is desired that the pump be used to supply water to a windshield washer, then the switch 69 may be turned to contact 72 and a continuous stream of water will be supplied to the windshield washer.

By employing the intermitter switch 73 in conjunction with baffles such as shown at 52 and 59, it has been found that the amount of water consumed is approximately equal to the amount which is evaporated and that practically all unevaporated water is returned to the supply tank, and the efiiciency of the cooler is vastly increased.

In Figs. VII, VIII and IX is shown another modified form of induction scoop to be used in my automobile cooler and air conditioner.

In this modified form an evaporator pad 74 is positioned across the scoop and is demountably secured therein between a front piece of hardware cloth 75 and a back piece of hardware cloth 77. The front hardware cloth 75 is detachably mounted to the interior side of the scoop by means .of detachable lugs like that shown at 76, which are the same in construction and mounting as the lugs 47, previously described; and the back hard? ware cloth 77 is secured to the inner side of the scoop by means of an angle lug 78 which may be welded thereto and to the side of the scoop, and by an angle lug 79 disposed at the bottom thereof, the inner leg of which lug is welded to the hardware cloth and the outwardly extending leg thereof may be welded to the top of the inwardly extending leg 86 of the deflector plate 85.

A pressure free return duct 80 is provided on the lower inner side of the scoop, which return duct is somewhat larger in diameter than the return duct disclosed in the other forms of the scoop. It is substantially funnel shaped with the smaller end thereof disposed outwardly. It extends through the evaporator pad 74 and the outer end thereof terminates at the inner side of the protruding lip 81. The pressure free return duct 80 has an opening 83 on each side thereof at the outer end adjacent the inner side of the lip 81. Such openings are provided for the purpose of allowing water accumulated behind the lip 81 in front of the evaporator pad 74 to return to the return outlet 84 within the pressure free return duct 80.

The protruding concaved lip 81 is attached to a flange on the lower outer end of the scoop by means of welding or other suitable means of attachment.

The deflecting plate 85 extends across the scoop behind the evaporator pad 74. The upwardly extending leg 85a thereof is provided with an opening to the sides of which the inner end of the pressure free return duct 80 is secured to thereby allow communication of the pressure free return duct with the area behind the evaporator pad. Thus water accumulated behind the evaporator pad may be returned to the return line outlet 84 through the duct 80.

An inwardly extending leg 86 may be made integral with the upwardly extending leg 85a of deflecting plate 85 and is disposed at a substantially right angle thereto.

An opening 87 is provided between each end of the flange 86 and the side of the scoop for the purpose of allowing water flowing down the sides of the scoop to flow around the ends of the leg 86 and into the pressure free return duct 80.

The vicinity of the inner end of the pressure free return duct is protected from the pressure of incoming air by the deflector plate 85. It also deflects water accumulated behind the evaporator pad 74 into the pressure free return duct 80 through which it may freely run into the return line outlet 84.

The water supply line 88 extends through the side of the scoop and may be arranged horizontally across the scoop in front of the evaporator pad at a point below the central axis of the scoop. The water supply line 88 has a plurality of openings 89 provided in the upper side thereof for the purpose of spraying water upward against the evaporator pad.

A terminal receptacle 90 is welded or otherwise securely attached to the inner side of the scoop. The open free end of the supply line 88 is frictionally inserted in receptacle 90 for the purpose of supporting it. The supply line may be easily withdrawn from the receptacle for the purpose of flushing out the line and freeing it of accumulated debris. Also, the tube 88 may be slightly rotated to adjustably direct the water emitted through perforations 89 therein.

The mode of disposition of the supply line 88, shown in this modified form, is particularly advantageous where the induction scoops are mounted above the inlets provided through the front grille of the automobile. In such case air is swept inward and upward onto the outer face of the evaporator pad and when the water is sprayed upward from the supply line 88 from below the central axis of the scoop the upwardly inrushing air will force the water spray upward against the evaporator pad and distribute it evenly thereacross.

Baflles like those indicated by numerals 52 and 59 may be incorporated in this modified form; and the electrical circuit hereinbefore described may be used in conjunction therewith.

It is apparent that I have produced improvements in evaporative coolers for automobiles which increase the cooling efficiency over previously known evaporative coolers, conserves water, and is simple and easy to install and maintain.

It is to be understood that other and further forms of my invention may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an air conditioner adapted to be installed on an automotive vehicle, an air duct arranged to extend from the outside to the interior of the vehicle; an evaporator pad positioned across said duct; a truncated cone shaped baffle having the vertex thereof attached to the rear side of the evaporator pad in position to intercept and deflect outwardly the air passing through the central portion of the evaporator pad; a water storage container; means to circulate water from said container and to deposit same on said pad; and means to return unevaporated water from said duct to said container.

2. In an air conditioner adapted to be installed on an automotive vehicle, an air duct adapted to extend from the outside to the interior of the automobile; an evaporator pad positioned across said duct; a truncated cone shaped baffle having the vertex thereof attached to the rear side of the evaporator pad in position to intercept and deflect outwardly the air passing through the central portion of the evaporator pad; a protruding lip disposed on the lower outer end of said duct and extending upwardly from the lower wall of the duct; a pressure free return conduit extending from behind the evaporator pad to a point near the outer end of the said duct; a deflecting plate disposed across the lower part of said duct behind the evaporator pad and adapted to deflect water accumulated in the duct into the pressure free conduit; a water storage container; means to circulate water from said container and to deposit same on said pad; and means to return unevaporated water from said duct to said container.

3. In an air conditioner adapted to be attached to an automotive vehicle having a ventilation duct thereon arranged to lead from the outer side to the inner side of the automotive vehicle, a water container; an air scoop adapted to be positioned on the outer end of said ventilation duct; an evaporator pad positioned across said scoop; a protruding lip extending across the lower outer end of said scoop and extending upwardly from the lower wall of said scoop; a truncated cone shaped bafile having the vertex thereof attached to the rear side of said evaporator pad and adapted to deflect unevaporated water against the pad and against the sides of the scoop; a pressure free return conduit extending from behind the evaporator pad to a point behind the lip; a deflecting plate arranged across the lower part of the scoop behind the evaporator pad and adapted to deflect water accumulated in the scoop into the pressure free return conduit; a water delivery tube arranged within the scoop and adapted to deposit Water on said pad; a water circulator arranged to deliver water from said container to the delivery tube; power means to operate said water circulator; and means to return unevaporated water from the scoop to the container.

4. In an air conditioner adapted to be attached to an automotive vehicle having a ventilation duct thereon arranged to extend from the outside to the inside of the automotive vehicle, a water container; an air scoop adapted to be positioned on the outer end of said ventilation duct; an evaporator pad positioned across said scoop; a water delivery tube arranged within the scoop adapted to de posit water on said pad; a water circulator; an electric circuit arranged to operate the water circulator by power from the automobile battery; an electrically actuated automatic intermitter switch arranged in the electric circuit adapted to intermittently operate the water circulator; and

means to return unevaporated water accumulated in the scoop to the said container.

5. In an air conditioner adapted to be installed on an automotive vehicle, an air duct adapted to extend from the outside to the interior of the vehicle; an evaporator pad positioned across said duct; a water storage container; a pump arranged to circulate water from said container and 30 deposit same on said pad; an electric circuit adapted to operate the pump; an electrically actuated automatic intermitter switch arranged in the said circuit to provide for the intermittent operation of the pump; and means to return unevaporated water from said duct to said container.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,223,884 Bolan Dec. 3, 1940 2,262,772 Larsen Nov. 18, 1941 2,277,552 Kneedler Mar. 24, 1942 2,322,110 Bock June 15, 1943 2,431,146 Steele Nov. 18, 1947 2,532,486 Fairbanks et a1. Dec. 5, 1950 2,551,923 Berge May 8, 1951 2,655,856 Hart Oct. 20, 1953 

